Holly Willoughby’s Latest TV Venture Halted, Future Uncertain
The television landscape has seen a significant shift with the news that ITV’s revived game show, You Bet! On Tour, will not be returning for a new season. This development marks the conclusion of what was, until now, Holly Willoughby’s most recent on-screen engagement. The popular presenter, who bid farewell to her long-standing role on This Morning in October 2023 after more than 14 years, has experienced a period of considerable change in her career.
For the past two-and-a-half years, Willoughby, 45, has navigated a series of career transitions. This includes the conclusion of her nearly two-decade stint co-hosting Dancing On Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern. Furthermore, her foray into the streaming giant Netflix with Celebrity Bear Hunt, a reality series that saw celebrities tackle a rainforest challenge with Bear Grylls, did not secure the desired renewal.
The recent halt of You Bet! On Tour, where Willoughby transitioned from a guest panellist to a more regular fixture in its 2024 reboot, leaves her without any immediate television projects. An ITV spokesperson confirmed that while You Bet! achieved a peak overnight audience of 4.4 million viewers upon its return in 2024, and both series are available on ITVX, “there are currently no plans for a new series of You Bet! On Tour.”
Willoughby’s involvement in the latest season of You Bet! On Tour was as a ‘celebrity guessing’ panellist, reportedly due to prior filming commitments. There had been speculation that she might return in a full-time capacity had the reboot been greenlit for a third season. However, reports also suggest that she declined a lucrative offer to resume her co-hosting duties with Stephen Mulhern on the show.
An insider speaking to The Sun expressed that this decision will likely be a further setback for Willoughby, particularly given her strong association with the program. “This will be another disappointment for Holly as she was so closely associated with the show and this was her first new, big project with ITV after she left This Morning,” the source commented. They added, “But put together with the fact that Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Bear Hunt weren’t successes, it’s not a great look for Holly, who’s always been talked about as TV’s golden girl.”
While her former co-star Stephen Mulhern remains busy with a variety of shows, including Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal, and Accidental Tourist, Willoughby’s professional schedule appears considerably more open at present.
What’s Next for Holly Willoughby?
Speculation is rife about Willoughby’s next career move. Her name has surfaced in discussions regarding potential successors to Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly as the host of the BBC’s flagship dancing competition, Strictly Come Dancing. Given her extensive experience hosting the ITV ice-skating show, a move to the BBC for such a prominent role is certainly within the realm of possibility.
The media personality has also been taking time away from the public eye to focus on her family. This period of reflection followed the uncovering of a terrifying plot to kidnap and murder her, which led to the arrest and life imprisonment of Gavin Plumb, 36, with a minimum term of 16 years.
In September, it was reported that Willoughby was planning a significant “TV comeback,” with a focus on forging a solo career after years of presenting in tandem. Working alongside her television producer husband, Dan Baldwin, she is reportedly aiming to transition from daytime to primetime television. A source told The Sun at the time, “She and Dan both know she has what it takes to go solo in a primetime evening slot, and they plan to make her the biggest female presenter in the UK again. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with.”
You Bet! and You Bet! On Tour are currently available for streaming on ITVX.
